WINTER HAVEN, FL – Five young men are facing serious felony charges after allegedly using a firearm to rob a man of a $30 vape pen as he walked home from work on Sunday night.
The Ambush and Robbery
The incident occurred around 9:36 p.m. in Winter Haven. According to the Winter Haven Police Department, the victim was walking home after finishing his work shift when a pickup truck suddenly pulled up beside him.
Five suspects jumped out of the vehicle and demanded everything in the victim’s pockets. When the victim stated he only had a cellphone and a vape pen, one suspect allegedly lifted his shirt to flash a gun tucked into his waistband. The group searched the victim and took the vape pen. They attempted to take his phone as well, but fled after the victim warned them it contained a tracking device.
Police Track Suspects to Residence
Officers quickly located the suspects’ pickup truck parked outside a nearby local residence. Upon spotting law enforcement, several men matching the victim’s description fled inside the home and initially barricaded themselves.
Following a brief standoff, police successfully detained all individuals. Investigators also questioned a 17-year-old girl who was inside the truck during the robbery. She stated she heard yelling outside and later saw one of the suspects return to the vehicle holding a green vape pen, boasting that he “got the vape.”
Suspects Identified and Charged
All five men have been charged with robbery with a weapon and petit theft:
- Damarius Jamel Taylor, 18, of Avon Park (also arrested on an outstanding Highlands County warrant)
- Tayshawn Williams, 18, of Auburndale
- Javon Prince Jackson-Roby, 19, of Avon Park
- Martice Spears Jr., 19
- Deshawn Antwon Lampkin, 19
Additionally, two 17-year-old girls were charged with resisting arrest without violence for providing false identification and refusing to let officers enter the home during the pursuit.
